Not a man or woman, however forbidding, did he hesitate to tackle, who in the remotest degree might be suspected of being likely to give information.

Now that it came to giving in, he hung back, reluctant to dip his colours.
"To-day's Thursday," said he.

"Let's give ourselves till Saturday.

If nothing turns up by then, I am your man to slink home." Roger, a little ashamed to find the first last and the last first in the race after all, readily assented.

And the two worked unflagging for two days longer.
Friday evening came, and the two sat dismally down to _table d'hote_ with defeat staring them in the face.